Sports

UEFA proposes postponing Euro 2020 by a year due to coronavirus

Published

5 years ago

March 17, 2020

UEFA has proposed postponing this year’s European Championship until 2021, a source close to European football’s governing body told AFP on Tuesday, as the continent battles with the coronavirus pandemic.

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The source’s confirmation of the proposal came after the Norwegian FA tweeted that the new plan is for the tournament to take place from June 11 to July 11 next year, turning Euro 2020 into Euro 2021.

The proposal was made as UEFA held crisis talks with its national associations as well as clubs and players bodies via videoconference on Tuesday. The proposal is likely to be ratified at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in the afternoon.

The move comes with most of Europe’s domestic leagues having ground to a halt over the last week as football confronts its biggest issue in modern times.

The UEFA Champions League and Europa League competitions for clubs have also been suspended, with both still in the last-16 stage, but postponing the European Championship for national sides means they, along with national leagues, will have the chance to be completed, assuming travel restrictions are lifted in time.

Europe has become the epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, with France on Tuesday having joined Italy and Spain in applying strict lockdown measures and European leaders also planning to ban all non-essential travel into the continent.

More than 2,100 people have died in Italy, which was supposed to host the opening game of Euro 2020 in Rome. The head of the Italian football federation, Gabriele Gravina, had already led calls for the Euros to be postponed.

Euro 2020 was due to be held in 12 different cities across the continent, from as far apart as Dublin and Bilbao, to Saint Petersburg and Baku.

The semi-finals and final were due to be played in London and there would considerable knock-on effects to postponing the competition — the women’s European Championship is scheduled to run from July 7 to August 1 next year in England, with the final at Wembley.

UEFA have also planned to stage an Under-21 Euros in Hungary and Slovenia in June next year.

Twenty of the 24 teams set to take part in the Euro have already qualified, but play-offs to determine the final four participants, due to be played later this month, will have to take place at a later date.

– Collision course with FIFA? –

Moving the Euro by a year also puts UEFA on a collision course with football’s world governing body FIFA, whose president Gianni Infantino has planned to stage the inaugural edition of his highly lucrative Club World Cup in June and July next year in China. Some of Europe’s top club sides are expected to be involved.

“FIFA will keep in regular contact with all relevant stakeholders during this difficult period and look to find in due course solutions in a spirit of cooperation, taking into account the interests of football at all levels,” Infantino wrote in an open letter on Monday.

“Health first and sporting solidarity should be the key principles guiding decision-making at this important moment in time and I am sure that the whole football community will live up to the great values of our sport.”

– ‘Final Four’ proposal –

As for its flagship club competitions, UEFA may come to a decision to try to complete the Champions League and Europa League by curtailing the competitions, meaning ties up to the semi-finals could be decided in one-off matches.

Reports on Tuesday also indicated both tournaments could conclude with a ‘Final Four’ meeting in the scheduled host cities — Istanbul for the Champions League and Gdansk in Poland for the Europa League, meaning the two-legged semi-finals would be removed.

Financially, UEFA will undoubtedly prefer postponements to outright cancellations, or playing matches behind closed doors, even if it is impossible at this stage to know when club football can resume.

The last European Championship, held in France in 2016, generated total revenue of close to two billion euros ($2.2 billion) for UEFA.

“The financial stakes are enormous,” according to one senior figure in the international game. “We know that FIFA has significant reserves but we don’t know about UEFA or the different leagues.”

Related Topics:coronavirus Euro 2020 UEFA

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Sports

Ex- NBA Chair, Balogun tasks legal professionals on mentorship

Published

4 weeks ago

July 17, 2025

milcah

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

Former Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch, Chief Rafiu Balogun (SAN), has urged his professional colleagues, particularly those who are alumni of the University of Ilorin, to provide mentorship to their junior ones, especially undergraduates .

The former Ilorin NBA branch Chairman said the much needed mentorship is necessary to complement the efforts of those who have cultivated the act of giving back financially to their alma mater.

Chief Balogun, who was an alumnus of the University of Ilorin and one of the 50 Ambassadors of the institution, spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the “University of Ilorin Ambassadors’ investiture, Distinguished Alumni and Award ceremony, where the University raked in cash donations of N600 million from the honourees.

The legal luminary, who doubles as the North Central Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria and Chairman of the Kwara State chapter of the society, stressed the need for Nigerians, especially those who are successful in their professional callings to cultivate the habit of rendering service to humanity.

He added: “That is why in the Red Cross, one of our seven principles is humanity, service to humanity is key, it is very paramount. As the Chairman of Red Cross here in Kwara State and Chairman of the North Central of Red Cross, I totally agree with what Kuliyan Gerin said that you must give back to the society.

“People like us, I am not rich but at least we’re providing mentorship to our juniors, to our students through the law society because I was the one that started the Law Society here during my tenure as
President. We mentored them, we are also giving back, it could be in terms of knowledge, in terms of materials, in terms of fees, advice, it can come in any way. It needs not be money alone.

“So that is why I am totally in support and in line with Kuliyan Gerin that you cannot say because you have succeeded in life you have amassed so much wealth without giving back.

“In fact, God is going to judge you, you are going to render account, according to Professor Oloyede.

“So, we appreciate them (UNILORIN) because they thought we have been representing the University well, and that is why we are honoured.”

End

Sports

Title: Real Madrid and Barcelona Share Mutual Respect, Says Ancelotti Ahead of Copa Final

Published

4 months ago

April 4, 2025

milcah

by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says there is mutual respect between his side and fierce rivals Barcelona, as both clubs gear up for an intense run-in across multiple competitions.

Speaking ahead of Madrid’s weekend La Liga clash against Valencia, Ancelotti acknowledged Barcelona’s form and quality, stating, “Barcelona is playing well, they’re in good form. I think there’s a lot of respect for Barcelona because of their quality, and I think Barcelona also has a lot of respect for Real Madrid.”

Madrid trail league leaders Barcelona by three points with nine matches left to play and will face the Catalan side in the Copa del Rey final on April 26. Both teams are also through to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Los Blancos booked their place in the Copa final after a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win over Real Sociedad, while Barcelona narrowly edged past Atletico Madrid.

Madrid’s preparations for the weekend are clouded by injury concerns, with first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois still sidelined due to a muscle issue. Second-choice keeper Andriy Lunin is also a doubt, leaving the door open for 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez to possibly make his senior debut.

“There is no concern, Courtois is much better and we think he can make it for Tuesday [against Arsenal],” Ancelotti said. “We have a doubt for tomorrow’s game with Lunin… and if he’s not fit I have total confidence in Fran.”

Ancelotti acknowledged the physical toll of their midweek extra-time thriller and praised upcoming opponents Valencia, who are unbeaten in four games.

“We have some doubts, obviously, due to the effort in extra-time,” he said. “We are aware that Valencia are doing very well. This is an important moment of the season.”

Sports

Mbappe Among Three Real Madrid Stars Fined by UEFA for ‘Indecent Conduct’

Published

4 months ago

April 4, 2025

milcah

by Ajadi Ashraf, Kaduna.

UEFA has fined Kylian Mbappe and two other Real Madrid players for “violating basic rules of decent conduct” during their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid.

The European football governing body announced on Friday that Mbappe was fined €30,000, while defender Antonio Rudiger was handed a heavier €40,000 fine. Midfielder Dani Ceballos received a €20,000 penalty. Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior, who was also under investigation, escaped punishment.

In addition to the fines, Mbappe and Rudiger were issued a suspended one-match ban in European competitions. This means they remain eligible for Real Madrid’s quarter-final first leg against Arsenal on Tuesday, as the suspension will only be enforced in case of further misconduct.

UEFA did not provide specific details of the players’ actions but cited a breach of Article 11 of its disciplinary regulations, which mandates “decent conduct” from participants. The incident stems from the heated Madrid derby on March 12 at the Metropolitano Stadium, where Real Madrid edged Atletico on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

Reports indicate that several Madrid players provoked and taunted Atletico fans during their celebrations after sealing the dramatic victory.

Real Madrid, the defending champions with a record 15 European titles, now turn their attention to a high-stakes clash with Premier League giants Arsenal.

UEFA has fined Kylian Mbappe and two other Real Madrid players for “violating basic rules of decent conduct” during their Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Atletico Madrid.

Reports indicate that several Madrid players provoked and taunted Atletico fans during their celebrations after sealing the dramatic victory.

Real Madrid, the defending champions with a record 15 European titles, now turn their attention to a high-stakes clash with Premier League giants Arsenal.